Nectarine tree, ‘Burnecttwentysix’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica  sub species  nuciperisica ), denominated varietally as ‘Burnecttwentysix’, and which produces an attractively colored firm-fleshed, acid, clingstone nectarine, which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately August 1 to August 12 under ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

Botanical designation: The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety of Nectarine tree, Prunus persica (subspecies nucipersica).

Varietal denomination: ‘Burnecttwentysix.’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of available deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of Prunus, Malus and Juglans species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling ‘Burnecttwentysix’ was originated by us from a population of seedlings grown in our experimental orchards located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were the result of planting seed collected in July of 2003, and which was derived from the yellow-fleshed clingstone nectarine tree ‘i9.045’, which was the seed parent. The pollen parent is unknown. Within this seedling population one seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics and was subsequently designated as ‘N11.033’. This promising seedling was marked for subsequent observation. After the 2006 fruiting season the new, promising variety of nectarine tree was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of the aforementioned new and distinct variety of nectarine tree was accomplished by budding the new nectarine tree to ‘Nemared’ Rootstock (USDA, non-patented). This was performed by us in our experimental orchard which is located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations of these same trees have shown those asexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All noteworthy botanical and pomological characteristics of the original tree, and its fruit, were established, and appear to be transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burnecttwentysix’ is a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which is considered of large size, and which has vigorous growth. This new nectarine tree variety is also a regular and productive bearer of relatively large, firm, acidic, yellow fleshed, non-melting, clingstone fruit which have good flavor and eating quality. The tree of the present variety displays a medium chilling requirement of approximately 650 hours or more. Still further, the present tree also produces relatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree. Additionally, the fruit produced by the present tree has a very high degree of red skin coloration, a firm flesh and appears to have good handling and shipping qualities. The ‘Burnecttwentysix’ Nectarine tree bears fruit which are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximately August 1 to August 12 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. In relative comparison to the ‘August Fire’ nectarine (U.S. Pat. No. 11,477), which is the most similar commercial variety, in ripening date, known to the inventors at this time, the present, new variety, exhibits better overall fruit shape and in particular is absent of suture separation which is more typically present at the stem well than the fruit of the nectarine tree ‘August Fire’. Additionally the present variety exhibits a significantly lower degree of ‘corking’ which results from heat stress and renders the fruit non-commercial. In view of the better fruit shape, fewer suture defects, and lower levels of ‘corking’ the ‘Burnecttwentysix’ will allow more fruit to be commercially packed than the closest commercially comparative variety. The new variety is distinguishable from the yellow-fleshed nectarine tree ‘i9.045’ isasmuch as this tree is ripe for harvesting and shipment 10 days later than the new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing, which is provided with this application, is a color photograph of the new variety of nectarine tree. The submitted photograph depicts two whole mature fruit, and one mature fruit which is dissected substantially in the equatorial plane, and which is seen from the apical perspective. This photograph also reveals the flesh and the stone characteristics thereof. The external coloration of the fruit, as shown, is typical of the fruit which are sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves; and a typical stone; with the flesh removed. The colors in the photograph are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing, and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society Fourth Edition, 2001.) and the descriptions provided, hereinafter.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely comply with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty, (either expressed or implied), that the present variety will in the future display all the botanical, pomological or other characteristics as set forth, hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims including, but not limited to, breach of warranty of merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed, in whole, or in part, to the present new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the sixth fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at orchards located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state of Calif. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition, 2001) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

TREE

-   -   -   Size.—Generally — Considered medium-large as compared to             other common commercial nectarine cultivars ripening in the             same season of maturity. The tree of the present variety was             pruned to a height of approximately 300.0 cm to about 310.0             cm at maturity. The average spread of the present tree is             about 4.3 meters when measured at 4 years of age.         -   Vigor.—Considered moderately vigorous. The present variety             grew from about 200.0 cm to 205.0 cm in height during the             first growing season. The new nectarine tree variety was             pruned to a height of approximately 150.0 cm during the             first dormant season, and primary scaffolds were then             selected for the desired tree structure.         -   Productivity.—Productive. The fruit set varies from 2.5 to             several times more than the desired crop load. The fruit set             is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into             the desired market-sized fruit. The number of the fruit set             varies with the prevailing climatic conditions, and the             current cultural practices employed during the bloom period.             Therefore, this characteristic is not distinctive of this             new variety.         -   Bearer.—Regular. Fruit set has been heavy, and significant             thinning was necessary during the past 6 growing seasons.         -   Form.—Upright, and pruned into a vase shape.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense. It has been discovered             that pruning the branches from the center of the tree to             obtain a resulting vase shape allows for proper air movement             in the tree, and appropriate amounts of sunlight to enhance             fruit color and renewal of fruiting wood throughout the             entire tree.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA             Hardiness Zone 9. The winter chilling requirements of the             new tree are approximately 650 hours at a temperature below             7.0 degrees C. The present variety appears to be hardy under             typical Central San Joaquin Valley climatic conditions.

TRUNK

-   -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 23.0 cm in diameter when measured at             a distance of approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level,             on trees which are six years old.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous             folds of papery scarfskin being present.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 4.0 to about 7.0             millimeters in width; and from about 1.0 to about 2.0             millimeters in height. It should be noted that as the bark             of the trees mature, the lenticels become less apparent and             also less abundant.         -   Lenticel color.—Considered an Orange-Brown (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 166 D).         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, but it is generally considered to             be Brown (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 177 A).

BRANCHES

-   -   -   Size.—Considered medium-large for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine tree             varieties. The branches have a diameter of about 8.0             centimeters when measured on trees which are six years old.         -   Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood             which is several years old.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable             between about 45 to about 54 degrees from the horizontal             axis. This particular characteristic is not considered             distinctive of the present variety, however.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 1.9 to about 2.4 cm. This             tree characteristic is highly dependent upon plant vigor             influenced by nutrition, soil quality, pruning and tree care             and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the new             variety.         -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Greyed-Orange             174 A).         -   Current season shoots.—Color — Yellow-green (RHS             Yellow-Green Group 144 B). The color of the new shoot tips             is considered a bright and yellow-green (RHS Green Group 139             B).

LEAVES

-   -   -   Size.—Considered medium-large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,             current-season's growth, at approximately mid-shoot.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 138.0 to about 154.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 36.0 to about 40.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique relative to the             longitudinal axis of the leaf.         -   Leaf form.—Lancelolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper Surface — Dark green (approximately RHS             Green Group 139 A).         -   Leaf texture.—Glabrous.         -   Leaf color.—Lower Surface — Medium green (RHS Green Group             141 B).         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light yellow-green (RHS Yellow-Green             Group 144 C).         -   Leaf margins.—Generally — Slightly undulating. Form. —             Considered crenate, occasionally doubly crenate. Uniformity.             — Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium long. Length. —             About 7.0 to about 10.0 mm. Diameter. — About 2.0 to about             2.5 mm. Color. — Pale green (RHS Yellow-Green Group 144 A).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered generally small. About 1.0             mm in height, and about 2.0 mm in width. Number. — Generally             one per side, occasionally two per side may be found. Rarely             glands are absent. Type. — Reniform. Color. — Orange-brown             (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 177 A).         -   Leaf stipules.—Size. — Medium for the variety, about 6.0 to             about 12 mm in length, and about 1.0 to about 2.0 mm in             width. Number. — Typically 2 per leaf bud, and up to 6 per             shoot tip. Form. — Lanceolate in form, and having a serrated             margin. Color. — Green (RHS Green Group 141 A) when             juvenile, but then graduating to a brown color (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 177 B) with advancing senescence. The             stipules are considered to be early deciduous.

FLOWER

-   -   -   Flower buds.—Generally — The floral buds, depending upon the             stage of development, are approximately 8.0 millimeters             wide; and about 13.0 millimeters long; conic in form; and             slightly appressed relative to the bearing shoot.         -   Flower buds.—Color — The bud scales are reddish-brown             (approximately RHS Greyed Purple Group 183 B). The buds are             considered hardy under typical central San Joaquin Valley             climatic conditions.         -   Hardiness.—No winter injury has been noted during the last             several years of evaluation in the central San Joaquin             Valley. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, and therefore this             information is not presently available.         -   Date the first bloom was observed.—Mar. 1, 2009.         -   Blooming time.—Considered early to mid-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the central San Joaquin Valley. Date of full bloom was first             observed on Mar. 8, 2009. The date of full bloom varies             slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions, and             cultural practices which are employed in the early season.         -   Duration of the bloom.—Approximately 10 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a non             showy-type flower.         -   Flower size.—Flower diameter, at full bloom, is             approximately 41.0 to about 46.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 2 flower buds appear per             node. On occasion 1 bud per node may be observed. Rarely             more than 2 flower buds per node are observed.         -   Petal size.—Generally — Considered relatively small for the             species. Length. — Approximately 16.0 to about 19.0             millimeters. Width. — Approximately 9.0 to about 12.0             millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Rotund to slightly ovate.         -   Petal count.—Typically 5; Stamen Count, approximately 35             stamens per flower.         -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Somewhat variable from a light pink (RHS             Red-Purple Group 62 B) to a medium pink (RHS Red-Purple             Group N57 C).         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Petal claw.—Form — The claw is considered inversely             triangular, wedged shape, with rounded angles; and has a             generally small size when compared to other similar             varieties. Length. — Approximately 8.0 to about 12.0             millimeters. Width. — Approximately 6.0 to about 9.0             millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly             smooth, to moderately undulate.         -   Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices appear entire with             a broad, shallow apical groove.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium, and having an             average length of approximately 4.0 to about 6.0             millimeters. Diameter. — Considered average, approximately             2.0 to 3.0 millimeters. Color. — A pale green when the bud             scales are removed (RHS Greyed-Green Group 195 A).         -   Floral nectaries.—Color. — An orange-brown (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group N172 A).         -   Calyx.—Surface Texture. — Generally glabrous. Color. — A             dull red (approximately RHS Greyed-Red Group 178 A).         -   Sepals.—Surface Texture. — The surface has a short, fine,             pubescent texture. Size. — Average; and ovate in form, about             6.5 mm in length; and about 5.0 mm. in width. Color. — Upper             Surface — A dark reddish purple (approximately RHS             Greyed-Purple Group 187C); Color — Lower Surface —             Grey-Brown (RHS N 199A).         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Small in size. Color. — Red to             reddish-purple (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group 187 D)             prior to dehiscence.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (approximately RHS Yellow Group 11 A).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Variable in length, approximately 14.0 to             about 17.0 millimeters in length. Color. — Considered a pale             pink (RHS Red-Purple Group 65 C) at maturity.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Normally 1, very rarely 2. Generally. —             Average in size. Length. — Approximately 19.0 to about 21.0             millimeters including the ovary. Color. — Considered a very             pale green (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 145 C).             Surface texture. — The variety has a long glabrous pistil.

FRUIT

-   -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe). Date of first picking. — approximately Aug. 1, 2009             Date of last picking. — Aug. 12, 2009. The date of harvest             varies slightly with climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Generally — Considered large, and uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 62.0 to about 72.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 61.0 to about 70.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 250.0 grams. This             characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of this new variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally — Rounded to slightly elongated along             its axis. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry.         -   Fruit suture.—Shallow, and extending from the mid-equatorial             region to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching             exists along the suture line.         -   Suture.—Color — The background color appears to be a medium             yellow (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 15 B), with             some occasional red coloration (approximately RHS Red Group             46 A).         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Full.         -   Apex.—Shape — Rounded.         -   Base.—Shape — Slightly retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Shape — Rounded and relatively shallow. The             average depth of the stem cavity is about 1.0 cm. The             average width of the stem cavity is about 2.4 cm.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered medium in thickness; and             tenacious to the flesh. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste. — Slight             astringency is noted. Tendency to crack. — Cracking has not             been observed. Russeting has not been observed to date on             the oldest bearing trees.         -   Blush color.—The blush color is variable from a medium red             (approximately RHS Red Group 44 A) to a dark red             (approximately RHS Red Group 46 A). Blush color ranges from             approximately 70% to about 85% of the fruit surface             depending upon the sunlight exposure and prevailing growing             conditions.         -   Ground color.—Generally a light yellow (approximately RHS             Yellow-Orange Group 15 B).         -   Fruit stem.—Moderate in length, approximately 6.0 to about             9.0 millimeters. Diameter. — Approximately 2.0 to about 3.0             millimeters. Color. — Light tan (approximately RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 164 D).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Evenly. Texture. — Firm, and dense.             Considered non melting. Fibers. — Few, small, and tender             ones are typically found. Aroma. — Slight. Eating Quality. —             Considered good. Flavor. — Considered sweet and acidic. The             flavor is considered pleasant. Juice. — Moderate. Brix. —             About 14.5 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with             the number of fruit per tree; the prevailing cultural             practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh             Color. — Yellow-orange (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange             Group 20 B). As maturity increases a reddish pigmentation             (approximately RHS Red Group 46 B) develops.

STONE

-   -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies with the resulting crop load, and tree vigor, and             therefore this trait is not considered a distinguishing             characteristic of this new variety.         -   Length.—Average, about 27.0 to about 29.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Average, about 23.0 to about 25.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Average, about 16.0 to about 21.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Obovoid.         -   Base.—The stone is slightly oblique relative to the stone's             vertical axis.         -   Apex.—Shape — The stone apex has a small acute tip.         -   Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Substantial pitting is             evident, in general, from the base past the equatorial             plane. Grooving is usually observed along the pit margin             near the tip and on the ventral and dorsal sides. Ridges. —             Texture — The surface texture is generally rounded. Ventral             Edge. — Width — Considered medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 3.0 to about 4.0 millimeters when measured at             mid-suture. Dorsal edge. — Shape — Full, heavily grooved,             and having relatively smooth edges.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is a dull red,             approximately (RHS Orange-White Group 159 A).         -   Tendency to split.—Very rarely splits have been noted.         -   Kernel.—Generally — The kernel is considered mature at fruit             ripening dates. Form. — Considered ovoid; Kernel size —             about 12-15 mm. in length; about 5.0-8.0 mm. in width; and             about 3.0 to 4.0 mm in thickness. Pellicle. — Slightly             pubescent. Color. — Considered to be a pale brown             (Yellow-White Group 158 A).         -   Use.—The new variety ‘Burnecttwentysix’ is considered to be             a Nectarine tree which matures early in the season, and             which produces fruit, which are considered firm,             attractively colored, and which are useful for both local             and long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Appears excellent. Fruit has stored well             for up to 30 days after harvest at 1.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. The fruit of the new nectarine tree             variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh, or skin             damage, after being subjected to normal harvest and packing             procedures.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety has not             been tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities or             resistances to any known plant and/or fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Fowler, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety of nectarine tree, what we claim is new, and desire to secure by plant Letters Patent is:
 1. A new distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored, firm-fleshed, acid, clingstone nectarine which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately August 1 to August 12 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 